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Survival strategies of the crab spider Thomisus onustus Walckenaer 1806 (Chelicerata, Arachnida, Thomisidae)

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Summary

The initial energy supply of emerging spiderlings is relatively meagre, so survival without feeding on insects during a spell of bad weather is limited to a period of a few days or weeks. During our investigations, spiderlings of Thomisus onustus (Arachnida, Thomisidae) were kept on different diets. There was a significant difference in survival rate between spiderlings that were starved or fed on pollen, “nectar”, or Drosophila. The results showed that pollen and nectar can be a source of energy for spiders for an extensive period. This demonstrates another way in which spiders may survive starvation when insect prey is lacking and thus ensure the survival of a whole population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für allgemeine Botanik, Johnnes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Saarstrasse 21, D-6500, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany

    A. Vogelei

  2. Institut für Spezielle Botanik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Saarstrasse 21, D-6500, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany

    R. Greissl

Authors
  1. A. Vogelei
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  2. R. Greissl
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Vogelei, A., Greissl, R. Survival strategies of the crab spider Thomisus onustus Walckenaer 1806 (Chelicerata, Arachnida, Thomisidae). Oecologia 80, 513–515 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380075

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380075

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